Marcus Ebdon reckons Spalding United are facing one of Evo-Stik NPL Division One South’s top teams on Saturday as play-off rivals Rugby Town visit the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Just behind the eighth-placed Tulips on goal difference, Rugby have only lost once in their last 12 games – and that was a 1-0 defeat against runaway leaders Stafford Rangers.
Spalding supremo Ebdon, who saw Saturday’s game at Carlton Town postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, is hoping his side are still full of confidence after beating Goole AFC 4-0 last time out.
Although he rates Rugby highly and sees them as dark horses to seal a play-off place, Ebdon doesn’t have an inferiority complex ahead of the Sir Halley showdown (3pm).
He said: “It was a shame last weekend’s game was off, we had real momentum and you want to keep that going. Hopefully we’ll take the Goole performance into the Rugby game. They’ve put in one hell of a shift to put that run together and get themselves into the play-off reckoning.
“I speak to a lot of managers and everybody speaks highly of them.
“They are a strong side and we’ll need to be at our best, but we’re certainly capable of winning.
“I do see Rugby as a side capable of playing themselves into the play-offs, their record speaks for itself. We’re still hoping to get in there too, but I’m not setting any points targets.
“As clichéd as it is, we’re just taking each game as it comes and will see where we end up.”
Meanwhile, there is some doubt surrounding the future of new Tulips signing Joe Curtis.
The midfielder has yet to feature for Spalding since joining from Daventry Town last week, but is already the subject of a seven-day approach from AFC Rushden and Diamonds. Ebdon admits he’s “unsure” what Curtis will decide to do, with Diamonds based closer to his home and able to offer the same standard of football.
Defender Neal Spafford and striker Stuart Eason should be fit to feature, but Jamie Thurlbourne (hamstring) is a big doubt.
